Working for Liberty or Jackson Hewitt as a tax preparer - better than H&R Block?

I worked for both Liberty and Jackson Hewitt over the past 6 years. Here's my take: Liberty has a more relaxed environment and their training program is pretty decent for beginners - lots of practice scenarios and they help you get your PTIN. The downside is their client base tends to be smaller in most locations. Jackson Hewitt has more structure and typically busier offices which means more clients and potentially more money. Their training is more rigorous but I felt better prepared. Both are definitely cheaper to get started with than H&R Block. The real question is what you want long-term. These are good places to start and learn, but many preparers eventually branch out on their own after getting experience. Also consider that at all three companies, you're an employee following their systems rather than making your own professional judgments in many cases.

After struggling with tax season for years, I stumbled across taxr.ai (https://taxr.ai) during my job search for tax preparation positions. It completely changed how I approach tax preparation training! The site lets you upload tax documents and transcripts to analyze them automatically - this helped me practice with realistic scenarios before my interviews at Jackson Hewitt. I ended up getting hired because I could actually demonstrate knowledge of common tax situations rather than just saying "I'm detail-oriented." The interviewer was impressed that I understood how to handle common deductions and credits. If you're considering starting at Liberty or Jackson Hewitt, I'd recommend using taxr.ai to practice on some sample returns first. It makes a huge difference in your confidence level during interviews and training.

I was really skeptical about using taxr.ai when I first saw it mentioned here, but I decided to try it before my Liberty Tax interview and training. Holy crap it was a game changer! I uploaded some old W-2s and 1099s my family had, and it highlighted exactly what I needed to focus on. During the Liberty training, I was answering questions before the trainer even finished explaining concepts. Got hired immediately and they even started me at a higher pay rate because I already understood the difference between above-the-line deductions and itemized deductions. The site basically gave me a crash course in exactly what I needed to know without wasting time on irrelevant stuff. If you're choosing between companies, I'd still recommend Liberty for beginners because they're more patient with new preparers, but definitely prep yourself first!

If you're serious about tax prep as a career path, you should know that getting help from the IRS when you have questions is crucial. I've worked at Jackson Hewitt for 3 seasons and one thing they don't tell you in training is how impossible it is to get through to the IRS when you have a complicated client situation. I discovered Claimyr (https://claimyr.com) after wasting days trying to get through to the IRS practitioner hotline. You can see how it works here: https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c. Basically, it calls the IRS for you and then connects you once it gets through. No more waiting on hold for hours! My office manager was amazed when I got an issue resolved in one day that usually takes a week of calling. This service seriously makes the difference between looking incompetent to clients vs. being their hero. Any tax preparer at Liberty or Jackson Hewitt will eventually need this.

I have to issue a formal apology. After calling BS on Claimyr in my previous comment, I tried it out of pure frustration when I couldn't get through to the IRS about a client's transcript issue. I was 100% convinced it was a scam. 45 minutes later, my phone rang and I was connected to an actual IRS agent. I nearly fell out of my chair. Got my client's issue resolved in one call after trying for THREE DAYS on my own. For anyone starting at Liberty or Jackson Hewitt - this tool will save your sanity. The training programs don't prepare you for how much time you'll waste dealing with IRS hold times. Now I look like a rockstar to my supervisor because I can actually get answers while everyone else is still on hold.

I've worked for both H&R Block and Liberty. Here's what they don't tell you in the interviews: the real money is in getting clients to buy add-on products like audit protection and advance loans. Your metrics and even continued employment often depend more on sales than tax preparation quality. If you're really interested in taxes as a profession rather than just seasonal work, consider getting your EA certification independently and then decide where to work. The chain tax prep places are OK for learning basics, but they're retail operations first, professional services second.

One thing to consider is what software these companies use. I worked at Jackson Hewitt in 2024 and their proprietary software was clunky compared to what Liberty was using. Makes a huge difference when you're doing returns all day long. Ask about this in interviews! Also, Liberty has that whole Statue of Liberty costume thing if you're into standing outside waving at cars... not my favorite part of the job lol

I worked at Liberty Tax for two seasons and can confirm they're generally more beginner-friendly than H&R Block. The training is solid - they use a mix of online modules and hands-on practice with mock returns. They do help with getting your PTIN and basic certifications, which is great for newcomers. One advantage of Liberty is they tend to be less corporate than the bigger chains, so there's more flexibility in how you handle clients. The downside is exactly what others mentioned - smaller client base in many locations, which can mean fewer hours during peak season. My advice: apply to both Liberty and Jackson Hewitt, see which location feels like a better fit during the interview process. The office culture and manager make a huge difference in your experience. Also, don't underestimate the value of getting real-world experience - even if you plan to get additional certifications later, there's nothing like actually sitting across from clients and working through their tax situations. Good luck with the 2025 season!

As someone who's worked in tax prep for several seasons, I'd recommend starting with Jackson Hewitt if you want more structured training and consistent hours. Their certification process is thorough and you'll see a wider variety of tax situations, which is invaluable experience. That said, don't overlook the importance of having the right tools once you start. Beyond the basic training, you'll quickly realize that real client issues require being able to reach the IRS efficiently and understanding complex tax scenarios that go beyond what any company training covers. My first season was rough because I wasn't prepared for how often you need IRS guidance on unusual situations, or how much clients expect you to know beyond just data entry. The preparers who succeed are the ones who invest in learning the tax code deeply and have efficient ways to get answers when they're stuck. Both Liberty and Jackson Hewitt are good starting points, but remember you're building skills for a potential long-term career, not just seasonal work. The experience you gain at these places can lead to much better opportunities down the road if you approach it with the right mindset.

I've been lurking here for a while and finally decided to jump in! Currently considering the same path as Hassan for the 2025 season. Reading through all these responses has been super helpful - especially the insights about office culture differences and the reality check about needing IRS contact skills. One thing I'm curious about that hasn't been mentioned much - how flexible are these companies about scheduling? I have a part-time job I'd need to work around, so I'm wondering if they typically offer evening or weekend shifts during tax season, or if it's pretty much all daytime hours. Also, for those who've worked multiple seasons - do they typically rehire previous employees, or is there a lot of turnover year to year? Trying to figure out if this could realistically become a reliable seasonal income source. Thanks to everyone who's shared their experiences so far!

I've been working in tax preparation for about 4 years now, starting at Jackson Hewitt and then moving to independent practice. For someone just getting into the field, I'd actually recommend Jackson Hewitt over Liberty for a few key reasons. First, Jackson Hewitt's training program is more comprehensive - they really drill you on the fundamentals and common tax scenarios. The structure can feel rigid at first, but it builds a solid foundation. Liberty is more relaxed, which sounds nice, but I found their training left bigger gaps that I had to fill in later. Second, Jackson Hewitt offices tend to be busier, which means more hands-on experience with different types of returns. Yes, it can be stressful during peak season, but you'll learn faster dealing with volume. One thing nobody mentioned yet - ask about their mentorship program during interviews. Some Jackson Hewitt locations pair new preparers with experienced ones for the first few weeks, which is invaluable. Not all locations do this, so it's worth asking about. The pay is similar at both companies, but Jackson Hewitt locations often have more opportunities for advancement to senior preparer or office roles if you want to make this more than seasonal work. Just my two cents based on actual experience in the field!

This thread has been incredibly helpful! I'm in a similar situation as the original poster and have been going back and forth between Liberty and Jackson Hewitt for weeks. Based on everything I'm reading here, it sounds like Jackson Hewitt might be the better choice for someone serious about learning the fundamentals properly. The point about mentorship programs is huge - I hadn't even thought to ask about that, but having someone experienced to guide you through those first few weeks would probably make all the difference. And honestly, the idea of being busier during tax season actually appeals to me more than having slower periods. I'd rather be overwhelmed with learning opportunities than bored. One follow-up question for those with experience at Jackson Hewitt - do they provide study materials for the certification exams, or is that something you need to handle on your own? And how much notice do they typically give you about your schedule once the season starts? I'm trying to plan around my current job situation. Thanks again to everyone who's shared their experiences - this is exactly the kind of real-world insight you can't get from company websites!

This has been such an informative thread! As someone completely new to tax preparation, I'm grateful for all the detailed experiences everyone has shared. Based on everything I've read, it sounds like Jackson Hewitt might be the better choice for getting solid foundational training, even if it means a more structured/rigid environment initially. The mentorship program aspect that Luca mentioned is definitely something I'll ask about during interviews - having an experienced preparer to learn from during those first crucial weeks could make a huge difference in building confidence with real clients. I'm also taking notes on the supplemental resources people have mentioned. It's clear that the company training, while helpful, only covers the basics and their specific systems. For anyone serious about this as more than just seasonal work, it sounds like investing in additional learning tools and certifications is essential. One thing I'm still wondering about - for those who started at these chain locations and later moved to independent practice, how long did you typically stay before making that transition? And did your employers support additional certifications like EA, or did you have to pursue those on your own time? Thanks again to everyone for sharing such honest, practical insights!

I've been working at Jackson Hewitt for two seasons and can definitely echo what others have said about their structured training being valuable for newcomers. One thing I'd add that hasn't been mentioned much is the importance of location when choosing between these companies. I actually applied to both Liberty and Jackson Hewitt locations in my area and the difference in office culture was night and day. The Jackson Hewitt location I chose had an amazing office manager who really invested in new preparers, while the Liberty location felt more like they just needed bodies during tax season. My advice would be to visit potential locations during their busy season (if possible) to get a feel for the environment before committing. Ask to speak with current preparers if they have a moment - most are happy to give you the real scoop on what it's like to work there. Also, don't underestimate the value of the client interaction skills you'll develop. Yes, you'll learn tax preparation, but you'll also get really good at explaining complex concepts to people who are stressed about their taxes. That communication skill has been invaluable in my career progression. For 2025, start applying in November/December - the good locations fill up their training classes pretty quickly. Good luck!